05 May, 2017

Russia, Iran, Turkey sign agreement on creation of Syria safe zones

Ceasefire
guarantor states Russia, Iran and Turkey have adopted a memorandum on
the creation of four security zones in Syria, during peace talks in
the Kazakh capital of Astana.

The
de-escalation zones were earlier proposed by Russia. They are aimed
at separating extremist groups, including Islamic State terrorists
(IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and Jabhat al-Nusra (Al-Nusra Front), from
the moderate opposition.

Idlib,
Latakia and Homs are included in the safe zones, as well as parts of
Aleppo, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Under the
memorandum, any fighting between government forces and armed
opposition will cease within the safe zones.

Checkpoints
and observation posts are to be positioned along the de-escalation
lines within the safe zones, according to the document. They will
provide free movement of unarmed civilians and humanitarian access to
the areas, under guarantor states’ control.